How are Paraguay's departments and districts governed?

Paraguay is administratively divided into 17 departments (departamentos), which are further subdivided into approximately 250 districts (distritos), each holding local government status.1

The governance of these divisions has evolved significantly since the late 20th century. Historically, the central government appointed both departmental governors and local mayors. However, this centralized control was reformed following the 1992 constitution, which established a more democratic framework for local administration.1

Under the current system:
* Departments: Each department is governed by a governor and a departmental board, both of whom are chosen through popular elections held every five years.1
* Districts: Local governance at the district level is managed by mayors, who are also selected through direct municipal elections.1

These democratic reforms ensure that local leadership is accountable to the citizens, marking a departure from the previous era of centralized appointments.1